Vending machine



.June 1944- o. D. JENNINGSET AL 2,351,432

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, l941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 i ,E i/672 J ne 13,'1944. o D. JENNINGS ETAL Patented June 13, 1944 VENDING MACHINE o Ode D. Jennings and Emery Mihalek, Chicago, m., assignors to O. D. Jennings a Company, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation ot Illinois Application August 27, 1 941, Serial No. 408.412

6 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines and' vide a vendin& machine in which articles are maintained in an upright position in the machine and during vending.

Another object of the invention is to .provide a vending machine having a large storage capacity in a relatively small space.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine in which articles are supported in a plurality of vertically spaced rows or layers and are dispensed from the bottom layer, the upper layers serving to replenish the bottom layer.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine which is so controlled as to prevent damage to the machine or'articles being vended in the event of sticking or other im proper operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine in which operation is stopped upon delivery of an article and is prevented as long as the article remains in the delivery chute, and is further prevented when the machine is empty.

The aboveand other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the machine shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partia] plan view, with parts broken away, oi' a machine embodying the in vention;

Figura 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sleeve member; y

Figura 4 is a partial vertical section through the machine, with parte in elevation;

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the lower track;

Figura 6 is a horizontal control switch box;

Figure 'I is a wir-ing diagram;

Figura 8 is a reduced perspective complete machine;

section through the view of the Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the tracks with parts omitted -or clarity.

Reerring first to Figure 8 there is shown a machine for vending bottled milk or th e like comprising an insulated, substantially rectangular box H, supported on a base 52, by a front panel |3 and a rear pedestal M. The panel and pedestal are spaced apart to provide a space above the base |2 for storage ot empty bottle cartons or the like. The pedestal M is enlarged and is adapted to contain a refrigerator unit communicating with the box for cooling bottles therein. The top of the box is closed by a pair of hingedly connected doors 15, either or both of which may be opened, or which may be completely removed from the box tor replacement or repair of the mechanism. Bottles are adapted to be dispensed from the box singly through a delivery chute, indicated generally at IS, under the control of a coin box !1, supportedon the front of the box. It desired, this unit may be equipped with casters or wheels tor movlng it easily from place to place, and may be made of any desired size, containing one or more delivery units controlled by separate `coin boxes, or by a selector switch mechanism on a single coin box.

The delivery mechanism, as best seen in Figures 1 to 5, comprises a pair of vertically spaced tracks formed by metal tracks s, supported in the box by means of brackets !9. The tracks are formed in plan to provide a substantial oval and each track is provided with a gap therein, the gaps in the tracks being spaced around the length thereof. The lower track, as best seen in Figure 5, is

' formed with a gap at one end of the machine I registering with a sleeve 20 extending through the bottom wall of the box I l and communicating with the delivery chute !8. The gap in the upper track,.as.seen in Figure 1, is spaced from the gap in the lower track around the tracks in the direction of travel oi' the bottles thereon a distance equal to the distance between adjacent bottles on the tracks, for a purpose to appear later.

Within the circumference of the tracks, a housing comprising upper and lower plates ZI connected by webs 2I', is supported by extensions '19' carried on the brackets s, and the upper plate earries a motor 22 and a. transmission 23 driving a, pair ot'vertically spaced sprockets 24. Similar sprockets 25 are mounted at the opposite end of the treme, and a pair of endless sprocket chain 26 pass around the sprockets adjacent to the inner edge of the tracks. The plates z are preferably formed with side flanges as shown in Figura 2 which are omitted at the ende as indical movement.

The tracks are adapted to support a plurality of articles to be vended, illustrated as standard milk bottles 21, which are supported in an upright position on the tracks. The bottles are adapted to be moved around the tracks by a sleeve mechanism, shown in detail in Figure 3 as comprising an upper open sleeve 28 and a pair of lower sleeves 29 spaced vertically and connected by a strip 3l. A bracket 32 is rigidly secured to the strip 31 and has its ends bent out- 'wardly, as indicated at 33, tor connection to the chains 25. As seen in Figures 2 and 4, the spaced sleeves 28 lie above and spaced from the lower track and the sleeve 28 lies above and is spaced slightiy from the upper track. The sleeves are oi a size to receive loosely the milk bottles or other articles to be dispensed, and are adapted to move such articles around the tracks as the chains are moved by the motor drive.

The delivery mechanism, as best shown in Figure 4, includes a spring in the sleeve to cushion the bottle during delivery, and a supporting plate 35, which is preferably padded by sponge rubber or the like to receive a bottle and support it until it is removed by the operator.

In operation or the mechanism as so far' described, a milk bottle or other article to be vended is placed in each of the sleeves in both the upper and lower tracks. As themotor is operated, a milk bottle on the lower track will be moved into register with the gap of the track and with the delivery sleeve 20, so as to drop therethrough by gravity into the delivery chute, to be held by the plate 35 until removed by an operator. At the same time, a milk bottle on the upper track is moved into register with the gap therein over a sleeve in the lower track which has been emptied in the previous operation and the bottle therein drops through 'the gap in the upper track on to the lower track. The bottle may b received by the bumper 36 on the lower track, shown as formed by a piece of standard rubber hose cut oti at an angle so as to cushion the fali of the bottle and to prevent it, from breaking. The

`it is filled. If the lower track is only partially filled, the mechanism may be backed up either by hand or by reversing the motor 22, until thelast bottle on the lower track is in the space below the gap in the upper track. Then, by filling the upper track and advancing the conveyor, the lower track may be filled and the upper track may be filled by inserting bottles therein. It will be understood that more than two vertically spaced tracks could be provided it desired, the gap in each track being spaced the distance between the sleeves ahead of the sa:) in the track just below it.

operation of the machine is normally controlled by the coin mechanism shown in mure 8, so that the motor 22 is temporarily energized tor a length oi' time sumcient to move the conveyor mechanism just far enough to dispense one bottle. Forthis purpose, the coin mechanisin operates to close a switch, indicated diai grammatically at 31 in Figure 7, the complete mechanism tor eflecting closing of 'this switch by the coin being: of a more or less standard construction. and therefore not illustrated. `However, as shown in Figure 7, the coin mechanism includes a chute 38 in 'which the coin is received. A second chute 30 is in vertical alignment with the chute 38 and normauy receives' the coins dropped therein to efiect closing of the switch 31.

A coin return chute ll is arranged at one side of the chute 39 to receive and return to the operator, through the usual return opening, any coins which are rejected by the machine.

In order to prevent passage of coins through the chute 39 and intothe coin box when the machine is empty, or when, for some other reason, it should not be operated; there is provided a lever 42 pivoted adjacent the coin chute and having a turned-down end 43 adapted to project into i the path of the chute 39, and to divert coins into the return chute ll. The lever is normally urged to the dotted passage shown in Figure 7, in which it will divert coins to the return chute by a spring u, the lever being rocked in the opposite direction to open the coin chute 39 by a solenoid 65.

When the switch 31 is closed by operation ot the coin mechanism, the motor 22 will be energized to start operation of the conveyor. The conveyor will continue in operation until the motor circuit 'is interrupted, 'and !or this purpose, there is provided a trip lever 45 adjacent the delivery sleeve 20, as seen in Figures 1, 4 and 5. This trip lever has an end portion projecting downwardly at an angle adjacent the delivery sleeve in a position to be engaged and rocked by a bottle on the lower track when the bottle is moved into register with the delivery sleeve. The lever is secured to a rock shaft 41, extending into a switch box 48 and connected to operate a switch 5| in the motor circuit. When the switch 5l is opened, the circuit will be interrupted to stop operation of the motor 0 so that only one bottle will be dispensed each tubing is cut at an angle as shown so the bottle will slide over it more easily onto the lower track.

time a coin is dropped into the control mechanisni.

In order to prevent delivery of a second bottle while one bottle is held in the delivery chute, thereby to prevent possible breakag'e, the delivery chute is provided with a control mechanism to prevent operation ot the motor until the chute 'is empty. As shown in Figure 4, the lower end of the delivery sleeve 20 is closed by a plate 52,

pivoted at 53, and engaging a scaling ring 54 around th lower end ot the sleeve. The plate may carry a pad 50, if desired, to receive and cushion the drop of the bottle. A second and larger plate 55 is pivoted also at 53, and underlies the plate 52. Preferably, the plate 55 has a downwardly projectlng portion 56, normally closing the delivery slot. An arm 5'I on the plate 55 carries a mercury switch 58, arranged in one oi the main circuit lines, as shown in Figure 7, so that when the mercury switch is open, both the motor circuit and the circuit to the coil 65 are interrupted. Thus, when the plate 55 'is rocked down to its dotted line position, as shown in Figcannot be energized. A coin inserted in the coin box at this time will be returned to the operator, this mechanism eflectively preventing operation ot the machine in any manner as long as the piate is rocked downwardly.

In operation of this mechanism, when a. bottle drops through the delivery sleeve, it engages the plate 52 and moves it down into engagement' The weight of the` with "the lower plate 55. bottle rocks both plates down until the plate 55 lies in its dotted line position with the upper end of the bottle resting on the edge thereof, as shown, so that as long as the bottle is in the chute, the plate 55 will be held down. -As the bottle drops down, however, the edge thereof clears the plate 52, allowing itto be returned to its upper position under the influence of a spring 59, so as to close the outlet sleeve zo, thereby preventing spillage of cold air from the box II. When* the bottle is removed from the delivery chute, the lower plate 55 will be returned to its uppermost position by a similar spring s, ready for the next o ration. Return of this plate will close the s itch 58, thereby enabling the coin mchanism and the motor to operate. J

In the event that a bottle should fail to drop properly from the upper track to the lower track, severe damage to the machine might result, and in any, event, the bottle. would be crushed, thereby spilling the liquid over the machine and leaving broken glass lying loosely th'rein. In order to prevent this poss'lbility, a safety`mechanism is provided shown as comprising a lover 62 lying adjacent the trailing side of the gap in the upper track and having a vertical rod portion 63, rotatably supported in one of the supporting brackets [9. The lower end of theshaft has an extension 64 engaging the ofiset end of a rock shaft 65 extending into the switch box 48 to operate a switch 66. As shown, in Figura 7, the switch 66 is arranged in the motorcircuit so as to stop the motor immediately upon opening of the switch, thereby to prevent damage to the machine.

The rock shaft 65 of the lever mechanism 62, 63 and 64, is normally urged to the position shown in Figure 1 by a suitable spring, not shown, in which position the switch 66 is closed. However, if a bottle or other article should fail properly to drop from the upper to the lower track, it would engage the arm 52 and rock it in a direction to open switch 65 and stop the motor, so as to prevent damage to the machine.

In order to prevent operation of the machine when no bottles or other articles to be vended are contained therein, mechanism is provided to lock the ooin box and to interrupt the circuit to the motor when the machine is empty. As shown, the switch' mechanism comprises a shaft 51 pivoted in the switch box 48 and extending from one side thereof. The shaft 61 has the arcuate extension 68 lying below the lower track and normally urged upwardly through the lower track by a suitable spring mechanism, not shown. When there are bottles or other articles on the lower track, one or more of such articles will rest on the extension 68 and rock it downwardly in a. direction to close a pair of switches 69 and 1l, within the switch box 48. If the lower track I is empty, the shaft 81 and projecting arm 68 will rock in the opposite direction to permit the switches 69 and 1| to open.

As shown in Figure 7, the switch 69 is arranged in the circuit of the motor 22, so that the motor cannot be operated unless this switch is closed. The switch 'H is in circuit with the coil 65, so

that it will be de-energized to permit flnger 43 to block 'the coin chute SQ, except when the lower track carries one or more bottles in a position to be vended.

Figure 7 illustrates diagrammatically one simple, control circuitfor the dispensing mech anism including, in addition to the parts described above, a low impedance holding relay 12 operating when energized to close a holding switch 13. One of the power lines shown at 14 is connected through the mercury'switch 58, to one side of motor 22 and the other side of the motor is connected tothe other power line 15 through switches si, 56 and se, relay 12 and switch 31 or 13, the last two switches'being in parallel. The 'coil 55 is connected to line 15 and through switches ll, 68, si, motor 22 and switch 58 to line 15. A manual switch 18 is preferably provided to connect the motor 22 to line 15 through the switches SI and 65 so that the motor may, be controlled manually for filling or the like.

In operation when a coin is dropped in the coin mechanism the switch 31 will be momentarily closed to establish a` circuit from line 15 through switch 31, relay 12, switches 69, 66, 51,

^ motor 22 and switch 58 to line 14. This energizes relay 12 to close switch 13 so that the circuit will be maintained after switch 31 opens. It will be noted that there is a continuous circuit through the motor from line te through coil 65, switches il, GG and l, motor 22 and switch 58, but coil &5 is a high resistance coil and will not pass enough current to aflect the motor. Relay 12, however, is a low resistance coil and allows the delivery chute it will open the switch 58 and will hold it open as long as the bottle remains in the chute. At this time the circuit through coil 65 is broken so that the coin chute is blocked and the machine cannot be operated. When the bottle is removed switch 58 will again be closed and the machine is ready for another operation.

If a. bottle should fail to drop properly from the upper to the lower track it will open the switch 66 thereby immediately stopping the motor and de-energizng relays 65 and 12. Thus the machine cannot be operated until the bottle has been straightened out to allow switch 66 to close.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that this is illustrative only, and is not to be taken as a deflnition of the scope of the invention, reference being had tor this purpose to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vending machine comprising a pair of vertically spaced conveyors, means on said conveyors in vertical alignment to hold a plurality of articles to be dispensed, means to dispense articles from the lower conveyor at a predetermined point. means at another predetermined point to direct an article from the upper conveyor into an empty space in the lower conveyor; a motor to drive the conveyors, an Operating circuit for the motor, a switch in the circuit, and means operated by articles on the lower conveyor to hold the switch closed, the switch opening when the lower conveyor is empty to prevent operation of the motor.

2. A vending machine comprising a pluraiity of vertically spaced fiat tracks shaped in pla'n to form a closed circuit and each adapted to support a series oi bottles in upright position; a series of vertically spaced sieeve members fitting over the upper surfaces of said tracks respectively, and

each adapted to receive a bottle, an endless chain connected to said sleeve members for moving them along the tracks, a motor for driving said chain, the lowermost track having a gap therein, delivery means registerin with said gap to receive a bottle dropping therethrough, the next higher track havinga gap therein spaced around the track from the first named gap and through which bottles may drop from the upper to the lower track, means for normally controlling operation of the motor, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent the gap in the upper track to be engaged by a bottle improperly passing from the upper to the lower track, and means operated by movement of said arm to prevent operation of the motor.

3. A vending machine comprising a pluraiity oi verticaily spaced fiat tracks shaped in plan to form a closed circuit and each adapte'd to support a series of bottles in upright position; a series of vertically spaced sieeve members fltting over the upper surfaces of said tracks respectively,

V connected to said sleeve members tor moving them along the tracks, a motor for driving said chain. the lowermost track having a gap therein, delivery means registering with said gap to receive a bottle dropping therethrough, the next higher track having a gap therein spaced around the track !rom the flrst named gap and through which' bottles may drop from the upper to the lower track,

means for normally controiling operation of the motor, 'means movably mounted adjacent the delivery means to be engaged and moved by a bottle in the delivery means, and means operated by said last named means to prevent .operation of the motor when there is a bottle n the delivery means.

5. A vending machine comprising a housing tormed with a delivery opening in one wall thereot, mechanism in the housing to deliver articles singiy through said opening, a motor tor operating said mechanism, a movably mounted plate normally closing said opening and moved away theretrom by an' article delivered therethrough, means iorming a delivery chute registering with said opening, a second plate movably mounted ad- Jacent the delivery chute in the path of movement of the first plate and extending beyond the first plate, and' control means for the motor operated by the second plate.

6. A' vending machine comprising a pair oi' vertically spaced tracks. means on said tracks in vertical alignment to hold a plurality of articles to be dispensed on the tracks, means to move the holding means around the tracks, the lower track having a gap therein at a predetermined point through which articles are dispensed, the upper track having a gap therein spaced along the track from said predetermined point through which articles may pass through an empty holding means on the lower track, and means operated by an article between the upper and lower tracks which falls to pass properly therebetween to stop the means for moving the holding means.

ODE D. JENNINGS. EMERY MIHALEK. 

